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One

Carter

It’s been three days since the whole disastrous fake date with Ensley ThreeI could take back what I did while trying to figure out how to or and process who my real dad is

Winston Maerriellie

My dad is Winston Maerriellie

My dad is Winston Maerriellie, leader of the Fareland mafia

Fuck Shit Fuck I can’t even wrap my head around it

Deep down, I know this is bad, especially if my father finds out What I don’t understand is why my mom said Winston would hurt Elodie and me if he found out about us Perhaps his ould be pissed if she found out he had an affair Yeah, that doesn’t sound like so the leader of the mafia would worry about There has to be another reason Andthe truth out of her is ih, since I haven’t seen her since that night I confronted her Fro when I showed up to his office for work—bright and early just like he commanded—she went on a vacation to some spa How convenient

If she thinks hanging out at a spa is going to save her fro I may have been a pushover—and in soether—or well, get it started—I’ up toto call by his first na him dad anymore—never really could

I wish I could already stand up to Nicholas—and I fully plan on it—but I’ure out what’s going on Then I’ a new life I just hope Ensley will forgive me and want to be part of that new life

A voice insideto forgive you after what you did

I gritasshole Granted, he’s probably an accurate fucking asshole

Sighing, I stab the shovel into the dirt and continue digging the hole Nicholas orderedHe’d told ht when I reached the lake Then I was to drive out into the trees and dig a hole until he shows up I don’t even want to knohat the hole is for, but if he shows up with a heavy trash bag that reeks of rotting flesh, I’ a dead body is not so to do no matter the consequences

I liftI’d worn shorts But Nicholas has a strict button-down shirt and tie dress code for whenever I work for hiht blue button shirt, a red tie, black jeans, and nice sneakers, all of which are covered in my sweat and dirt Nicholas despises it when I wear sneakers, which is kind of why I do it It’spathetic am I?

“Pretty fucking pathetic,” I ain

As I dig deeper into the ground,to my texts and who can bla because it’s all I can do I’d beno idea where they are, but El ed me a few ti else, so I’ where the two of theuess I should say the three of them, but I don’t like to think about the third party that went on their little road trip Not that I don’t like Gaige, but he’s a guy and he’s with the girl I like, probably too s they could be doing with each other Sure, I don’t really think Ens is the sort of girl who’ll randomly hook up with someone I mean, I’m pretty sure I was her first kiss for fuck’s sake But sos when they’re hurting Like me

I glance down at my scabbed knuckles, a painful reminder of just how stupid and out of character I’ve been acting over the last few days Enough that I rah my bedrooe ass hole in my wall But the pain did uess there’s that

The distraction only lasted a ht back to focusing on how bad I’ve fucked up How Gregor is pissed off atto tell ure out a way to get Ensley to accept hiet Ensley to accept hiain and will probably lose any chance of being with her That is, if I even have a chance anymore

And then, of course, there’s the fact that my real father is part of the mafia, which means that, by blood, I’m technically linked to the mafia

Yeah, and I thought Nicholas being a corrupt laas bad

I grip the handle of the shovel and the wood scrapes atto have blisters tomorrow Good Maybe the pain will offer me another brief moment of distraction

Unable to stand the heat any longer, I slip , only stopping when e has to be froor flash across the screen

I’ve only heard froht and he didn’t seem too thrilled when I told him I didn’t knohere Ensley is He demanded I find her and I tried—I really did—but the only people who knohere she is are El, Ens herself, and Gaige And none of thee

His reply: Sorry man, but El’d cut off my nuts if I told you

I would’ve given hi afraid of my sister, but El can be a pretty scary chick when she wants to be

Walking into the shade, I lean against the side of the car and open the or

Gregor: Have yo

u found hter yet?

Me: Not yet I talked to h, and she said she was okay

Gregor: I don’t want to know if she’s okay I want to fucking knohereher toto let you come ith me

I grind my teeth untilthreatened?

Me: I’ll figure out so soon I promise

Gregor: You better coh on this, Carter It’s more important than just our deal

Me: What does that mean?

He doesn’t respond, leaving me to worry

But h the trees, heading straight for er is about to find h to hold a body or two, but then relax as I recognize the passenger in one of the vehicles

Nicholas

But who the hell is in the other car?

I soon get my answer as the vehicles come to a stop and a few people file out, one of those people being Winston Maerriellie

Well that’s just fucking great Not only do I have to deal with Nicholas, but I also have to deal withwith about five of his bodyguards

All of the to so, which makes me wonder the real reason behind the hole and why they’re here, in the middle of the woods

“Carter” My dad greets me as he walks up and measures up the hole “It looks like you actually listened for once”

I resist an eye roll I almost always listen and that’s part of the reason I’m in this mess

I stuff my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and try my best not to eyeball Winston, worried he’ll somehow realize the truth “So what’s up with the hole?”

“That’s none of your damn business” He rubs his jawline “You can pack up and leave Just o home, take a shower, and wash your clothes”